Houston man makes replica 'Jurassic Park' SUV

He lands on front page of Reddit

Updated 10:09 pm, Thursday, April 24, 2014

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

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Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 3 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 4 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 5 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 6 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 7 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 8 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 9 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

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Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 11 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 12 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 13 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 14 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 15 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 16 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 17 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 18 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 19 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 20 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 21 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 22 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 23 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 24 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 25 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 26 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

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Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 28 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 29 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 30 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 31 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 32 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 33 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 34 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 35 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 36 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 37 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 38 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

Image 39 of 40

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Replica of a Jurassic Park tour vehicle made by Houstonian Christopher Orgeron.

Photo: Courtesy Of Christopher Orgeron (u/scoodidabop)

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Houston man makes replica 'Jurassic Park' SUV

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Who doesn't love movies? It's safe to say the vast majority of Americans do, but some are willing to put their money, and wheels, where their mouth is.

Take Houston resident Christopher Orgeron for example. Under the username "scoodidabop," he achieved Internet fame when images of his replica "Jurassic Park" tour vehicle made it to the front page of the popular online forum called Reddit.

"(I can) cross it off the bucket list! I'm glad to see people get as excited about the car as I am," Orgeron told the Houston Chronicle in an email. "I briefly won the internet!"

If you take a look at the gallery above, you can see why it caught on with Redditors. The vehicle runs a tour program on the dash screens complete with a voice-over narration that describes the dinosaurs as you theoretically pass them.

Out of all the movies Orgeron could have picked for this endeavor, "Fast and the Furious" comes to mind, why "Jurassic Park?"

"'Jurassic Park' is a longtime favorite of mine," Orgeron says. "It came out when I was 11 and though I watched it in the theater five or six times, it never failed to leave me on the edge of my seat. Then we got the VHS copy of the movie and I watched it every day after school for months on end."

Fast forward to today, and Orgeron is turning that love into a hobby that's shared by just a handful of people around the world. He says he was bitten by the movie prop bug a few years ago.

"Since then I've become good friends with a very small group of guys from around the world (less than a dozen!) that are committed to finding all the right parts and recreating a perfect JP Explorer," he says.

Orgeron has some big ideas for this SUV, which will see the light of day in due time.

"I'd be open to giving people rides in it for an authentic Jurassic experience but don't have any plans at to do so at the moment," Orgeron says. "There's bound to be some land here around Houston that would fit the bill so that could be a fun idea to look into."

He also added that the Houston Museum of Natural Science wants him to bring the SUV by the museum for a show-and-tell.

This labor of love has taken over a few years to come to fruition. Orgeron bought the vehicle in January 2013, but had been searching for the parts for a couple of years. It's still a work in progress.

It hasn't just cost Orgeron time; he's also had to shell out dough to give the ride a movie makeover. As of now, he's spent just under $3,000 on the vehicle. But he's not done yet.

"It's been a long journey so far and there's still lots to be done on it (install the custom dash, bubble roof, custom leather seats ...) but I love it," Orgeron says.